Surrey Hills – Conditions

Afternoon,

I have not ridden off road for a few weeks in the Surrey Hills, partly due to work, home and also because I am enjoying the road riding.

But planning to head out tomo to Surrey Hill. Ranmore, Westcott, Holmbury etc. Any updates on conditions appreciated so I can kit myself accordingly.

Thanks

Horrific ought to cover it!

Hi Mashie, sunny now, but we’ve had lots of rain the last few days and even some snow yesterday AM. It’s going to be very wet under-tyre.

And part frozen when i went out last night which was interesting as the ruts supported the wheel slightly and then mushed out to nothing. Looking forward to the cold weather next week to hopefully harden everything up.

yeah, the roads were treacherous this morning too. The next few days’ forecast are sunny and cold, let’s hope that holds.

There has been a lot of work on the worst trails to make them a little less muddy in the last few weeks but if it’s anything like last weekend it’ll be pretty bad, especially along the lower parts of pitch.

yeah, the roads were treacherous this morning too

I thought they seemed ok this morning actually.

off the main roads was plenty of black ice, last night’s rain frozen, footpaths too

just been out to the garage, that’s an ‘effing cold wind!

Was out for 1.5 hours round Holmbury and Pitch this afternoon, and it was probably the worst / most depressing ride of the year, and bearing in mind how bad it’s been this year, that’s saying something. Having a hangover from the office Christmas dinner last night didn’t help, but even so, trails were just awful. Even the stuff that holds up well was pretty grim. I resorted to riding the big sandy tracks.
Not sure even a hard frost will help, because there are so many deep puddles on most of the trails. If these freeze over, it will be entertaining to say the least!

heihei – that has sealed it. leave the trails alone if the conditions are that bad.

It will be full of South Africans or fat IT managers off here.

Avoid.

so I can kit myself accordingly.

You’ll need a 150mm AM bike at least 😉

pies, br – im neither in IT, South African or Fat. But have friends who is all three! Lovely chap.

Br – I dont have 150mm either but I did have 140mm 6 months ago and loved it around Surrey Hills. now riding a 29er.

Some rain last night. Clear skies to the east, hopefully coming this way. Mashie, you have a new baby I think? I’d say if you have a pass, take it.

I’m working today so that’s one less South African.
Enjoy.

For the main good but slow going. Hit the muddy bits and it’s like thick porridge that saps all energy. Nice and sunny though, so good for the Vit D production. Go for it.

Cold and bright morning, but I imagine like last weekend it will be pretty mushy up there. Tennis instead for me this morning. Might go for a quick spin later though depends ng on reports and mud nearby.

Generally shirty year for riding on the whole. Just glad I held off buying a new bike. Let’s hope 2013 is better.

Road ride for me!

Road ride for me too.

dog walk here

Beautiful day out there, I’m aiming for a sundown ride and a pint.

Hangover today. Run later.

I know the conditions are gonna be lame but this weather is nice. The lure of the trails will be too strong to resist tomorrow.

Beautiful day out there, I’m aiming for a sundown ride and a pint.

Just back from Leith Hill. Plenty of puddles in the usual places, but some lovely sections on the sandy tracks. Much more fun than the road today.

Lovely up there today, bit damp in places, we were over Holmbury side, but not bad. mrs kilo got to use her new bike as well

I don’t recall Surrey Hills ever being so grim that a road ride would be better! (I’m not anti-road and it has been known for me to bat for the other team too).

Whatever you do, usual plea: Stay off Parklife until the spring…

Mr Woppit – Member

Whatever you do, usual plea: Stay off Parklife until the spring…

Is parklife aka yogurt pots?

yup

Kilo – that was this year!?!? 😉

yogurt pots wouldn’t be the same without the yogurt

Whatever you do, usual plea: Stay off Parklife until the spring…

Why?

No signs today suggesting that you shouldnt ride it.

just in from a Dorking -> Holmbury loop, it’s not so bad on the main trails, didn’t do any of the “gnarr” Pitch stuff.

the sky is clear and temps dropping fast, it’s going to be facebitingly cold tonight and a great tomorrow for anyone OK with a bit of frost nip.

bloody nice pint of ‘Wandle’ in the Hatch. (The proper Hatch).

Whatever you do, usual plea: Stay off Parklife until the spring…

pfffff.

Actually the work done on Parklife / Yog Pots has made it one of the better trails in the grim conditions. Credit to the trail pixies who have done a tremendous job.

I went exploring over St Marthas today and have to say the sandy soil and much lower traffic made for some cracking riding. The odd patch churned by horses but had soooo much more fun today than yesterday. There’s some upside to grim trails – forces you to get the map out and explore and you inevitably turn up a few hidden gems of trails.

Get out there and lock you back brake down all the descents. If you seen anyone doing trail work, try to kick them in the face as you go past.

Now, I’m really missing my Headley to Headley, Dorking circum-navigation route via Leith Hill.

Best wishes.

LT

Was exceptionally quiet out on the trails today, despite the car park and shop bring really busy.

Only saw 2 other bikes in over an hour on Pitch/winterfold at one stage.

Conditions really variable. Found some lesser ridden stuff that was bone dry, but popular sections were a mud fest.

My road ride was chilly! Rode past some well known trails and didn’t see a single mountain biker. In my opinion that’s a good thing as trails will get time to recover. Lovely say today, felt awful on the bike, just one of those days.

forces you to get the map out and explore[/u] and you inevitably turn up a few hidden gems of trails.[/u]

Regardless of conditions or company, this is sometimes exactly what you need to do. Just head off the beaten track and keep those wheels turning … 🙂

Saw 3 guys riding down from Holmbury St Mary who were filthy. Was nice on the road – dry, no ice! A pleasant 50 miles.